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Origin and history

Versas Castle, located in Sanilhac in Ardèche, is a building probably built in the 16th century. It consists of two wings surrounding an octagonal tower classified as a historical monument, and a Renaissance facade overlooking the valley. Major works were carried out between 1594 and 1603 by Françoise de Bernard, Lady of Versas, and her husband Noë de Lamartinière, who made significant architectural changes before his death in 1603.

The seigneury of Versas was owned by several noble families, including the Montbrisons, faithful to the Protestant religion. As early as 1301, Audiber I of Montbrison was mentioned as the first known lord. The line continues with complex marriage alliances, such as that of Louise de Montbrison, who successively married Laurent de Rochesaulve and Victor Bermond de Combas. Their son, Tristan de Combas, died without descendants, leaving property to his sister Michelle, married to Dominique de Bernard de Saint-Esprit.

In the 17th century, the castle was the scene of family tensions, especially between Jacques de Bernard and his eldest son, leading to a division of property. Jacques, after withdrawing from the Deux-Aygues, died in 1675 in Vallon. The property then passed to his granddaughter Jeudy de Tardivon, who gave it in 1705 to François Denis Auguste Grimoard de Beauvoir du Roure. In 1901, historian Albin Mazon noted that the castle belonged to a Protestant pastor, Sugier des Vans.

The castle also includes a 19th century dovecote, a late addition to the architectural ensemble. The octagonal tower, the most remarkable element, was classified by decree of 31 May 1927. Today, a private property, the castle opens to the public during Heritage Days, offering a testimony of Protestant and seigneurial history ardéchois.

The archives also mention violent episodes related to the Wars of Religion, such as the bag of the convent of the Cordeliers of Largentière in 1562 by Mr. Combas de Versas and his son, illustrating the religious divisions of the time. Bernard de Montbrison's mostly Protestant family kept the seigneury until its extinction, marking the identity of the place.

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